Letter From the Editor

Back when combination antiretroviral therapies were first introduced in 1996, they were both lifesavers and backbreakers. The first generation of HIV combination therapies were among the most demanding regimens in medical history. It was common to have to take dozens of pills many times a day, at carefully spaced intervals and with special dietary requirements. That first generation also caused all sorts of side effects, so that many healthier people with HIV felt worse on medications than off.

Thankfully, there have been a lot of advances in making HIV medications more tolerable, from fewer doses to better management of side effects to eased dietary restrictions. But managing HIV treatments is still a major challenge for most people, especially when they are dealing with other conditions or even just the ordinary problems associated with aging.

In this issue of Body Positive Magazine, our goal is to provide you with new information and ideas about how to maximize your HIV treatment while also maximizing your quality of life. Our lead story, on Medicaid Special Needs Plans (SNPs), tells us about an important new health care option for New Yorkers. Another key feature in this article is by Dr. Jon Kaiser, who offers insights into a "comprehensive treatment approach to HIV." We also present a series of shorter articles about starting antiretroviral treatment, maintaining adherence, coping with the psychological demands of treatment, and the use of natural therapies.

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